Shaquille O’Neal: Success Beyond Basketball

The world knows Shaquille O’Neal as the imposing figure of basketball. He is one of the game’s most prominent and successful players. What many people don’t know is that success to him goes beyond the court. The menacing centre player of the Los Angeles Lakers is also a gentle giant outside of the court. He is known for many of his charitable works, his passion for learning, and his appetite for business and investing. He even dabbled in showbusiness!

The Basketball Superstar

Shaquille O’Neal first joined the NBA in 1992. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic. Shaq won Rookie of the Year that same year and led his team to the championship series of 1995. He then moved to LA Lakers after four successful years with Orlando Magic. Shaq teamed up with the young Kobe Bryant to capture 2000, 2001, and 2002 championships for the LA Lakers. He snagged his fourth championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Shaquille was also with the American Dream Team when it won gold in the 1994 Olympics.

His many accolades in the game include the 2000 MVP Award, 1992 rookie of the Year Award, 15 All-Star Game Selection, three Finals MVP Awards, three All-Star Game MVP Awards, 3 NBA Defensive Team Selection, and 14 All-NBA Team Selection.

Shaq O’Neal retired from basketball in 2011. And in 2016, was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017. His numbers still hold up to today – eight in all-time points scored, sixth in field goals, eight in blocks, and 15^th in rebounds. He ranks third in all-time field goal percentage.

Rising Celebrity Status and Exploring New Territories

After a successful 19 years of basketball, Shaquille was ready to explore different careers and opportunities. Unlike many other athletes, he didn’t rest on his achievements and money. He banked on his celebrity status and tried his hand on showbusiness. He composed, produced, and released a rap album. His rapping didn’t make the impact he was expecting.

He tried acting. Although most of his early movies didn’t impress the critics, they were blockbusters. He was also into a lot of TV shows, music videos, commercial advertisements, and even appeared in video games.

Shaquille also took the opportunity to dip into several his lifelong passions – wrestling, law enforcement, and education. He went back to school to finish his bachelor’s degree. Shaq subsequently earned an MBA. He took a reserve officer course at the LA County Sheriff Reserve Academy while still active in basketball. In 2016, he was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy in Georgia.

The Business Genius

Perhaps the biggest surprise to this man’s multitude of aspects is his grasp at business. Athletes and celebrities aren’t usually associated with business acumen. His business interests came a little later. But Shaquille has always been a big investor. He has always been saving and investing a big chunk of his basketball money on stocks and bonds. His earlier investment portfolio included Apple, PepsiCo, and General Electric. Later, he took on riskier and more progressive choices, most particularly ventures in tech, gaming, and esports.

After leaving basketball, Shaquille went full-blown entrepreneur. He franchised food businesses that included Five Guys restaurants, Krispy Kreme, Auntie Anne’s, Papa John’s, Big Chicken, and his very own, Shaquille’s, burger place. Other businesses included fitness gyms, candies, milk, real estate, car washes, clothing apparel, jewellery line, sneakers, carnival cruises, and insurance.

His most notable and profitable investment is also the world’s biggest company – Goggle.

Deciphering the Science Behind Shaquille’s Success

So, how did a man who came from a demography of big spenders and bankruptcy managed to beat the odds and rise to the top? Professional basketball players earn millions of dollars a year. However, around 60% will lose most of their earnings five years after retirement. In Shaquille’s case, he was already in business mode since day one.

He is a comedian, a celebrity, a rapper, and an athlete. But business intelligence might be the last thing you will associate with this affable and burly man. Therefore, many are still incredulous over his financial successes.

Three aspects contributed to Shaquille’s success. Here are the main principles in money and life that he follows and have given him enormous returns.

Despite his enormous paycheck, he was conscious of his spending. He once shared that of his income, he’ll invest half, save the quarter, and spend the rest. Only 25% of his income is spent. The rest goes to savings and investments.

Another of his business principles is truly believing in what he is selling. One qualifier to all his business ventures is that he like and actually use the product. He has turned down a lot of prominent businesses and profitable opportunities just because he doesn’t have confidence in the product or use it.

Lastly, he gives back a lot. Shaquille is big on giving back, and he does that whenever he can. He makes it a point to give back to the community, to the causes he believes in, and to humanity in general. And it’s not always financially. Aside from financial aids, he also gives his time, expertise, and influence when needed. He will also invest in a financially challenged business venture if it will positively affect people.

While his personality is larger than life, this big guy is just passionate enough to give his all to all his endeavours. He applied the same discipline and dedication he displayed playing basketball to everything else he does in life, including business.